Rotary plow



(NG Model.) 2 Sheeis-Sheet l J.H,PR0ST.

ROTARY PLOW,

No. 669,630. Patented Oct. 20, 1896.

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2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

J. H. FROST. ROTARY PLOW.

Patented Oct.. 20, 1896.

UNITED Srn'rns @PATENT Orricns JOHN HARLESS FROST, OF SIX MILE, ALABAMA.

ROTARY PLOW.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 569,630, dated October 20, 1896. Application tiled January 2, 1896. Serial No. 574,001. (No model.)

To LZ/3 whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, Jenn IlAnLnss FROST, a citizen of the United States, residing at Six Mile, in the county of Bibb and State of Alabama, have invented certain new and useful lm provements in Rotary Plows; and l do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in rotary plows intended for digging and tilling the soil; and vthe object is to provide a machine in the nature of a plow that will effect the purposes intended expeditiously, thoroughly, and at a minimum of power.

I effectthe object and purpose designed by means of the construction and combination of elements, parts, and mechanisms illustrated in the accompanying drawings, where- Figure l is a side view of the complete plow, one of the side rails of the frame and one wheel being removed to show the general construction. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective of the plow-wheel. Fig. 3 is a detail of one of the plow-heads removed from its seat and showing the means of securing the plow-teeth therein. Fig. is a detail of the levers for raising the plow clear of the ground. Fig. 5 is a detail of the spreading-blades at the rear of the frame.

A designates a rectangular frame of such dimensions in length and breadth as to carry themechanisin mounted therein. The frame consists of parallel side pieces l 2, suitably connected by end pieces 3 e, to the forward one of which the tongue 5 is suitably connected and secured.

B designates a crank-axle mounted on the spindles thereof and which also carries the wheels G 7, substantially as shown in the drawings. The bail of the axle is made rather long, so as to admit a flow of large diameter, and thus increase the leverage exerted on the plows. On the bail 7 of the axle is journaled the hub or shaft S of the plowwheel B, consisting of a substantial central disk 9, formed with a broad rim l0, in which are formed a determined number of transversely-arranged seats l1, in which the heads of the plows are seated and held so as to have a limited rotation or oscillation therein. The rear wall l2 ofthe throat or opening of the seats approaches the vertical radius of the seat to serve as an abutting edge for the heads of the plows and brace them for turning further in backward direction, and the front edge of the opening is chamfered oit, as at 13, to permit the plows to tilt or swing forward to shake off any adhering soil or substance. In the bottom of the seats 1l are formed a number of holes lei, in which the ends of the plow-teeth may extend when they are adjusted below the heads.

- C designates the plow-heads, consisting of a round bar l5, of such a length as to extend across the plow-wheel, and formed with a flange 16 the length thereof, having keepers or sockets 17 formed thereon or made therein, in which the feet of the plow-teeth 1S are disposed, substantially as shown, and adjustably held and secured therein by means of setting screws or bolts 18X, let through the metal of the iiange. The plow-heads are secured in their seats, by means of pins or caps 19, against lateral displacement, and are prevented from falling out directly because of the contracted opening or throat-slot of the seats.

On the circumferential face of the wheel between the plows are arranged cleaningplates 20, which have in each end a rod 2l 22, which slide in holes 23 in the wheel-flange, substantially as shown, and serve to clean the dirt off the plows when they drop out by gravity or are drawn out by engagement with the adjustable wheel, hereinafter described.

On the bail of the axle, on opposite sides of the plow-wheel, are mounted two hc ngers 24C 25, the heads of which are provided with setscrews 2G, whereby the hangers may be secured at any angle desired in their relation to the plow-wheel and to throw out the cleaning plates or slats at any location desired.

To lift the plow when desired, l fulcruni a lever 27 on the frame and form the depending arm thereof with a hook 28, which engages with the arm of the axle-bail, so that when the lever is pulled forward by means of a connecting-cord 29, one end of which is secured to a sheave 30, the plow will be raised free from the ground. The sheave 30 is journaled on a stud 3l on the rail of the frame and provided with a ratehet 32, which is engaged by a pawl on a lever 34, manipulated from the drivers seat 35, mounted at the forward part of the frame, substantially as shown.

On the rear of the frame are ad j ustably secured two spreading plates or shears 3G 37, mounted on adjustable rods 38 SSX, whereby the plates may be set at any height or at any angle.

It will be perceived from the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings, that the seats in the plow-wheel and the plows arranged therein are so constructed that when the plow is at work the plows drop down, so that the points enter the ground at the same distance apart, and as the plow revolves the teeth are forced straight down into the soil until the plow-wheel comes directly over it, when the plow-points are stopped from turning further by lodgment against the rear edge of the seat in the wheel, and then the soil is prized and lifted loose. The power applied to the axle and the circumference of the plow-wheel act as a leverage, which gives the requisite force to accomplish the purpose. The len gthened bail of the axle operates, in the first place, to permit the wheel to adjust itself to the surface on which it is working; second, to afford means for raising the wheel free from the ground when desired through the manipulation of the lever.

A walking-plow may be built on the saine principle as that shown except that the axle may be straight and the drivers seat and the supporting-wheels removed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a rotary plow, the combination of the frame, the crank -axle mounted therein, a plow-wheel journaled in the bail of the axle, and formed with circular seats across the face of the wheel, having slots opening into the seats, plow-teeth having a head-piece to fit the seats in the wheel and arranged to have a limited oscillating movementtherein, sliding cleaning-plates across the face of the wheel having their ends projecting beyond the edges of the wheel, and wheels hung on opposite sides of the plow-wheel to push the cleaningplates out.

2. In a rotary plow, the combination of the frame, the crank-axle mounted therein, a plow-wheel journaled on the bail of the axle and having a broad rim formed with circular seats extending across the perimeter, having slots opening therein with their rear edges formed to serve as stops against which the plows lodge and are held and their front edges chamfered to permit the plows to fall forward, plow-heads tted to oscillate in the circular seats, plow-teeth adjustably secured in the plow-heads, cleaning-slats disposed between adjacent plows and provided with vertical rods at each end arranged to slide in guideways in the rim of the wheel, arms pivotally hung on opposite sides of the plow-wheel, and wheels journaled in the free ends of the arms to engage the ends of the cleaning-slats and push them outward.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN I-IARLESS FROST. Witnesses:

R. H. PRATT, J. S. MOORE. 

